🐌 Fantastic Skincare: The Snailaversary and Winter is Coming, Luckily, we're Part Sheep 🐑

[botemp]

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I am very slowly working on consolidating the gathered information from previous threads into easier to read formats but it’s slow going. In order to make use of the below form and join in I would suggest reading thread 1 and at the very least the following info sheets (provided they apply to you):

Where to Start

Basics of an Actives Routine

Skin Types vs. Skin Conditions Info Sheet

Anti-Ageing Info sheet

Adult Acne Info Sheet

NEWish since previous threads:

Understanding Which Sunscreen(s) to Buy

Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day of the Year?

NEW since the last thread:

A Damaged Skin Barrier - Now What?

For those who are taking a peek and wondering what this all about, we mostly discuss a bit of advanced skincare here with a perspective of seeking out the right ingredients (rather than the latest new shiny product and all its empty promises) for our particular skin needs. Distinguishing the acid toners from the actives whilst avoiding the truly unimpressive and harmful ingredients with a hope to achieve a bit of anti-ageing, alleviate irritation and sensitivities with some idle chat in between. Newcomers are always welcome but please note the following:

Questions and asking for help on this thread is encouraged, however, we can’t give you a specific routine to follow and hope it works out for the best. There are no overnight miracles in skincare whether it be in the form of products or techniques. It’s about perseverance, understanding your skin, assessing its needs and responding to that in a diligent manner.

These threads were created to help those who want to learn for themselves. We’re a group of interested and invested skincare nuts happy to offer tea and sympathy and dole out advice. Everyone’s journey with skincare is different, what is universal and binds us is that through actually learning about the different active ingredients it helps us get to know our skin and help us adapt as it will change many times throughout our lives - with seasons, hormonal changes, ageing, genetics etc. It's in everyone's best interests to get to know their skin and to keep reviewing those changes with the confidence that comes from the gathered knowledge here. We really encourage you to spend the time reading through previous threads and linked info sheets that the many contributors have taken the trouble to share.

By no means are we experts, we're only a bunch of amateurs that can only respond by suggesting what we would do in your place, for any severe conditions please seek out professional help.

Ahem, and finally a little note on spending. I'm well aware these threads cause many to reach for their wallets and spend with wild abandon. There can sometimes be a bit of a frenzy surrounding the excitement around a newly discovered product or on the back of great improvements when someone reports back. This is all great, it doesn't however, mean everything that's a sudden miracle for one will be it for you. Usually, it's a light bulb moment for connecting the right skincare ingredient with an individual experiencing a specific problem. Take your time to mull over decisions and question whether it's right for you too. Skincare is highly individual, it's a slow game that should cost mostly in patience, input, education, and perseverance. Please don't make it cost you financially needlessly.

OCTOBER 2017: It's our snailaversary ! Our baby ripe toddler skins are about a year old now, or rather getting together on these threads about a year ago. I can't believe we're all still finding things to chat on about between the hair disasters. I know I always encourage a bit of catching up at the beginning of the new thread with how everyone's skin been progressing over the last couple of weeks/months but now I'm demanding more and would really like to hear how everyone is doing a year on now, or however long you've been with us. Basically, pledge your undying love for these threads

NB: I've removed the form from the OP as I felt there really wasn't a need for it anymore. I think I've also answered enough of those forms in their previous incarnation for a lifetime so it may just be a selfish decision but it's been made

Happy Snailaversary to one and all

Despite the pea sized lump on my neck under my chin and ear that has kindly appeared over night , my skin is looking pretty good and I havent been wearing makeup all this week, as I did last week, which I'm really happy with.

Love this thread.

I also think the time has come to crack open the NIOD this week thats been waiting patiently in the corner for me.

I pledge my loyalty to you all and the thread.

My skin is no worse than in the beginning but really not much better either. I’m just trying to maintain the meh status of it. I’ve been spending less money on it though. Trying to pare back to more basic things and see how cheap I can get away with, hence being enamoured with TO.

Re contacts: I just wash my hands with any aul soap. Sure it’s grand.

I need to buy a new cleansing oil soon. Is the Sephora own brand one ok, does anyone know. Because we have a Sephora here now and their cleansing oil is quite cheap. Have missed the window for ordering from Korea...

Hiya- was wondering if you guys can answer a quick spf query...

Am currently using LRP Anthelios Mist and getting on well with it. Am however, now worrying that because it's a spray it's not as good protection as a liquid- am I being daft or is this a real issue? If it isn't as good, was thinking of using a liquid in morning then the LRP spray as a top up.

If liquid is better protection wise, was wondering if anyone has used Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Dry Touch? I tend to get on pretty well with Vichy products in general, some face products make my skin react a bit. I'm after something that is non shiny, as that's the problem I've had with liquid spf in the past. Recently tried the Avene Cleanance spf on recommendation that it was matte and was a total oil slick.

Any advice much appreciated!

Not daft at all, Silver. A spray will never deliver the necessary amount for the advertised protection. They're fine as a top up in a pinch but not as a primary SPF.

Would you be interested in Japanese SPFs? They'll be theost cosmetically elegant out there.

For French pharmacy the Avene anti-ageing one that mint uses may be a viable alternative assuming that you have tried the other LRP Anthelios offerings without success.

I haven't actually tried the liquid LRP Anthelios range as have read quite a lot of reviews saying they are shiny- is there one that isn't?

Am put off the Avene after my exeperience with the Cleanance- my face looked like I had rubbed it with chip fat!

Which Japanese ones? I have seen that lots of people on here like the Biore Watery Essence- how is that for skin that occasionally reacts to products? (Some products make my skin come out in lots and lots of little raised bumps)

Budget wise am not really wanting to spend more than £20 really.

JDSTER, the Biore brightening one you use is quite mattifying, isn't it? The Biore watery essence should also not be too shiny. The normal Anthelios Fluid can be a tad shiny if you're prone to it IIRC but they do have a mattifying one but I think that's the one that mint fell out with after a reformulation.

Product reaction is always a possibility, especially if you don't know the specific triggers. The ones we discuss on here usually don't contain the most common irritants though. With SPF it's often the type of filters used that causes a bad response, is it SPFs that you've had bad reactions with, or just skincare in general?

The Body Shop also do a version of the watery essence, you can get a decant of it in shops but it does contain some common irritants like fragrance.

I'm a bit prone to shine as I have combination skin, so yes best perhaps to avoid the Anthelios (especially if some of you don't get on well with it).

What's the difference between the brightening and the watery essence?

I've not had a reaction to spf, is just occasional products. Usually things like Olay etc which I don't use any more since I found my current skin care choices (I use Priori gentle AHA cleanser, Vichy Normaderm Anti Age and Vichy Aqualia Thermal. Sometimes use an exfoliant toner but not very often, last one I was using was the Superdrug one that's constantly out of stock!)

ohgoon I like the Neostrata SPF too. I need to get some more.

I'm not going on too well with the Medik-8 Vitamin C. I think I prefer the TO 23%. The Medik-8 is too strong I think and subsequently I'm using it only when I remember, which is probably about 2 to 3 times a day. I used to use the TO 23% daily with no problems. I'm worried that the Medik-8 will start oxidising and that will make it really expensive, although it does come in 2 separate bottles.

Silver the lrp anti shine one was my fave until they changed it then it started balling up terribly and didn't play at all well with other products or make up! The avene anti ageing dry touch one that bo mentioned in still using is very good I'm on my second tube now, I HATE all other avene products too if that helps?

mint definitely going to give the LRP a miss then! Have you tried the Avene matte Cleanance one? It was just awful so am now petrified of wasting another £15 or so on something awful. Have you tried the Biore Watery Essence at all? I do quite fancy trying it.

The brightening one is a milk and IIRC it has a more diverse selection of filters as it's a chemical/physical mix and is more suitable for outdoors rather than the watery essence whilst water resistant really is only a commuter/indoor sunscreen but I'd have to read up on it to be precise. The watery essence is also quite high in alcohol which makes it drying for some.

That's a shame Pupsie, I had intended to try that next as a viable alternative to the SkinCeuticals. Weirdly the SC has a 12M expiration once opened which seems really long especially unrefrigerated (I keep it there anyhow). Think I may just have to attempt ordering those sample versions from eBay to save a bit of cash and stick with the SC from now on. Crikey I'm so predictable, of course I'm going to fall in love with the most expensive thing out there...

Bo I'm very happy to send you a decant if you'd like?

What do people think of the Balance Me range?

Thanks for the offer, Pupsie. I fear it would oxidise during the shipping as it takes about a week between here and the UK, actually a bit longer when coming from the UK.

Not familiar with the Balance Me range beyond seeing it in TKmaxx once or twice. It's affordable natural-ish, isn't it? Does it contain essential oils?

botemps so I would be better ordering the Biore brightening milk than the Watery Essence? Am guessing Amazon would be the ones for it. (Sorry for sounding dense- am the very very exhausted mother of a 13 week old who doesn't like sleeping)

I was looking at this bo

www.balanceme.co.uk/skincare/cleansers/pure-skin-face-wash

Are you breastfeeding as certain SPF filters aren't recommended to use then or whilst pregnant? I'd have to check the INCI on those two to check in that case.

I've used neither of those two so difficult to say which would be best for you, hence why I asked for JDSTER's input above.

I prefer eBay over Amazon as it's clearer who is selling to you and they tend to be quicker with getting it to you but I know many on here use Amazon without issue.

I'm not a fan of the essential oils in it for everyone but since you're washing it off potentially less irritating than otherwise. Bit puzzled by decyl glucoside being the second ingredient, it's my preferred surfactant but it's a bit odd to see it so high up in the INCI so may not be acting as a surfactant at all in that case.

I'm not breastfeeding (unfortunately wasn't able to as we were both rather ill when he was born) so isn't a concern.

I use eBay more regularly than Amazon anyway, so will order from there.

Will wait to hear back from JDSTER and any others who have used the two Biore for comparison before I order

Silver I've tried quite a few avene products and my skin has hated them all! I can't use the biore one due to fragrance and would also rather be able to just grab something from boots as is easier.

On eBay make sure it's a Japanese seller and I usually prefer a 99.8% rating or above with a decent amount of customer feedback. Especially the watery essence has some fakes out there.

Has anyone tried L'Oréal miss hippie mascara?

magnum I think I'll try a Biore then if no good, will give the Avene Anti Age a go (I know I'm probably being a bit stubborn re Avene, will definitely try it if the Biore doesn't work out)

I've tried the Miss Hippy mascara and absolutely hated it by the way. Felt very claggy, lashes felt sticky and looked spidery. If you like L'Oréal mascaras in general- the new Lash Paradise is quite nice. Although didn't like it enough to replace my beloved Estée Lauder Extreme Sumptuous

No problem silver I hope u find one u like. No I'm not a L'Oréal fan tbh but just saw that mascara and was intrigued but I'll give it a miss now thank you.

Hi silver. I'm quite oily. I've used two LRP anthelios SPFs and found them to both leave my skin oily. The one I've photographed was fine for holidays, when I wanted good protection, but it's tinted and quite heavy so definitely not a day to day one for me. The other LRP one (forgotten name) in square shaped bottle was truly awful - it left my face like an oil slick by midday.

Other two I've photographed are Biore. Watery essence is what I first bought on recommendation from this thread. It's a good one in that it doesn't exacerbate oiliness. As Bo says it's a high alcohol content so it dries very quickly. I then read an online review on the pink bright milk one and it sounded like it would suit my skin type and it does! It's a white silky fluid that goes on quite white but soon absorbs into the skin. I'm quite fair so I can't see darker skins liking the whiteness of it as much. To me it feels like a primer once it's on, leaving skin feeling really silky. I find makeup goes on really well after it. I buy from eBay or Amazon from Japanese sellers. I hope that's helpful but feel free to ask any other questions if I've missed anything.

pupsie I've used balance me products in the past. They are quite heavily fragranced with essential oils. I had a balm type cleanser from them a few years ago which I liked but then they changed the formulation and it wasn't as good. Funnily enough I have a 50ml tube of that cleanser you linked, although I see they've changed the packaging again. It was a freebie in a magazine but I've not tried it so no help there. I've kept it to put in my travel bag for taking away. I've got a decleor one for travel at the moment which is awfully drying so I must just bin it. I'm going to London this week so I'm going to have a look in Liberty at P50. Are the staff still as scary on the counter does anyone know? Also a chance to look in some clothes shops we don't have here like massimo dutti, banana republic, uniqlo. Anywhere else I should look? Not after anything in particular.